January 9 - 14, 2020
Leaving Tomoka State Park we headed
towards central Florida and Lake Okeechobee to stay at Summer Breeze.
This was mostly a stopping point to our destination of the
Everglades. The campground (well, if to call it that), is not really
worth mentioning much. It has recently been under new management and
isn't sure what it wants to be. What it has been is a 55+ Mobile Home
Community, that has mostly seen better days. One quickly can tell,it
has been around since probably the seventies, originally maybe even
longer. It appears as the more permanent trailers are removed the
sites become used for RVs, some traveling such as us and spending a
month or less, though mostly seasonal stays. The people are friendly,
and I would be interested in seeing where the new owners take it.
The highlight of the area is Lake
Okeechobee itself. Known as Florida's inland sea, it is a vast
freshwater lake over 730 square miles, it is among the largest
freshwater lakes in the US. The name Okeechobee comes from the
Hitchiti, an extinct tribe related to the Seminoles; Oki (water) and
Chubi (big). Having man-made canals one can travel from the Atlantic
to the Gulf traversing the lake in the midpoint. There is a 110 miles
pathway atop the dike that surrounds the lake perfect for hiking and
biking known as the LOST Trail ( Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail) with
several mostly primitive camping areas. The wildlife is abundant and
it is a birdwatchers paradise.
With this natural wonder right across
the street from the campground, naturally, this is where we spent
most of our time. Lots of walking and biking got done while we were
there. We saw so many different birds, including Wood Storks, White
Ibis, Pelicans, Anhinga, Herons,Limpkins; and yes, we even saw
several Alligators.
As the wildlife was the high point of
this spot, I will leave you with less words and lots of photos.
Till our next spot!
 |
| Dexter under the full moon! |
   |
| Waiting for the fishing boat. |
 |
| Anhinga drying it's wings |
 |
| Osprey |
 |
| Anhinga and Great Blue Heron in the trees |
 |
| A Limpkin |
 |
| Cattle Egret getting a ride |
 |
| Pretty Little Yellow Flowers |
 |
| Two Vultures just hanging out. |
 |
| Heron hiding in the grass |
 |
| Great Blue Heron |
 |
| Bike ride sighting |
 |
| A Community of Birds |
 |
| Pelicans and Wood Storks |
 |
| Wood Storks |
 |
| Red Shouldered Hawk |
 |
| Some type of small duck |
 |
| Green Heron |
 |
| Kildeer |
 |
| OOPS!! I think they missed |
 |
| Why you may want to reconsider a place on the water! |
 |
| Look He's Smiling!! |
This last photo is of a Ball Moss. It is of the Bromeliaceae family like Spanish Moss and Air Plants. Having fine hairs that can adhere to anything including as in this case Electrical Wires!
Leaving Tomoka State Park we headed
towards central Florida and Lake Okeechobee to stay at Summer Breeze.
This was mostly a stopping point to our destination of the
Everglades. The campground (well, if to call it that), is not really
worth mentioning much. It has recently been under new management and
isn't sure what it wants to be. What it has been is a 55+ Mobile Home
Community, that has mostly seen better days. One quickly can tell,it
has been around since probably the seventies, originally maybe even
longer. It appears as the more permanent trailers are removed the
sites become used for RVs, some traveling such as us and spending a
month or less, though mostly seasonal stays. The people are friendly,
and I would be interested in seeing where the new owners take it.
The highlight of the area is Lake
Okeechobee itself. Known as Florida's inland sea, it is a vast
freshwater lake over 730 square miles, it is among the largest
freshwater lakes in the US. The name Okeechobee comes from the
Hitchiti, an extinct tribe related to the Seminoles; Oki (water) and
Chubi (big). Having man-made canals one can travel from the Atlantic
to the Gulf traversing the lake in the midpoint. There is a 110 miles
pathway atop the dike that surrounds the lake perfect for hiking and
biking known as the LOST Trail ( Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail) with
several mostly primitive camping areas. The wildlife is abundant and
it is a birdwatchers paradise.
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